Measurements

Both Sexes

Length

6.7–7.5 in17–19 cm

Weight

1.7 oz 47 g

Other Names

Pluvier semipalmé (French)

Chorlito semipalmeado, Cholo semipalmado (Spanish)

Cool Facts

The Semipalmated Plover has been seen to swim short distances across small water channels during foraging while on migration. Chicks also swim short distances to follow parents to small islets on shallow lakes

The oldest recorded Semipalmated Plover was at least 9 years, 2 months old when it was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Massachusetts.

Nest Placement

Behavior

Conservation

The Semipalmated Plover is among the few plovers whose numbers are apparently increasing, perhaps owing to its versatility in food and habitat choice, its wide-spread coastal winter distribution, or its habitat expansion in the sub-Arctic as a result of disturbance by both humans and arctic geese. A 2012 study estimates a North American breeding population of 200,000. Semipalmated Plover is not on the 2014 State of the Birds Watch List.